Hair loss can happen to anyone whether male or female. The only difference is that in men, it is known as baldness while in women, it is referred to as thinning hair.
Now, losing hair is not something most people would want for themselves so if you are a victim, we understand why you would want to find a solution for the same.
In your search, you have probably heard of Nioxin and Rogaine, which is understandable because they are two of the biggest names when it comes to hair loss solutions. Which one’s better? You ask.
In this post, we are going to compare both products (head-to-head) so that you are in a better position to make the right choice by the end of this article.
Comparison Between Rogaine vs Nioxin
Before we get into the thick of things, we feel it is important to understand what these products are and what they will do for your hair.
Nioxin is a line of products designed to make hair thicker. To that effect, the company came up with a line with different kits for different needs.
When you purchase the Nioxin kit, you will get a three-step treatment including a conditioner, shampoo, and a scalp treatment solution. Nioxin is believed to reduce hair breakage, eliminate excess oil from the scalp, and strengthen hair strands.
On the other hand…
Rogaine contains Minoxidil an ingredient that was originally used in managing high blood pressure (source). Generally, doctors recommend using a 5% solution of Minoxidil for men and 2% for women.
You may also want to note that there are many positive reviews especially from women claiming that they noticed hair growth after a while of using Rogaine.
A simple way to sum up these two is that Nioxin is a product meant to increase hair volume while Rogaine is meant to sort of re-awaken weak hair follicles and re-grow lost hair. Which method is more efficient? Stick around to find out.
Ingredients: Less Is More?
Both Nioxin and Rogaine have noteworthy ingredients but there are some differences worth taking note of. For one, Rogaine comprises a few ethanols such as Stearyl alcohol to aid in absorption. But those are mainly inactive ingredients, the active ingredient is Minoxidil whose chemical formula is C9H15N5O.
Note that alcohols can be quite drying or irritating for some people depending on skin type.
On its part, Nioxin comes with vitamins and natural oils; something that’s missing in Rogaine’s formula. Nioxin is, therefore, more of a natural system while Minoxidil is more of a lab-made product.
Also Related
Minoxidil or Trioxidil: Which One Wins and Why?
Texture
Rogaine typically feels oily on the skin when applied. That can be useful since you need to wash off the solution in unwanted areas fast.
Meanwhile, Nioxin comes with a greasier feel on both your scalp and hair. This may leave you feeling as if you want to wash your hair more often but that would not be wise as it can be drying and damaging to your hair and scalp.
If you feel the need to wash often, you may want to wait until your hair and scalp show a significant buildup of the product. You are also advised to apply more of the solution after washing your hair to reduce the time your hair has to go without the benefits of the solution.
Another thing to note here is that Nioxin’s formula stays oily on the hands and skin. Needless to say, Nioxin also feels more hydrating to the hair and scalp compared to Rogaine (from experience).
DHT Blocking Abilities
As far as the DHT hormone is concerned, Nioxin contains Saw Palmetto as one of its ingredients that works as a DHT blocker. This inhibits facial hair growth so if you are a man intending to grow a fuller beard, you may want to opt for Rogaine as it doesn’t contain a DHT blocker.
Differences in How They Work
Nioxin removes build-up on the scalp thus improving blood supply to hair follicles, which in turn creates the perfect environment for hair growth to give you a fuller head. Rogaine on the other hand revives inactive hair follicles to jumpstart hair growth.
Safety
Both Rogaine and Nioxin are likely to cause a burning sensation once applied to the scalp. Depending on the sensitivity of yours, the sensation can vary from mild to tolerable, or extremely uncomfortable.
The good news most users who have complained of experiencing discomfort with Rogaine did not have the same experience with Nioxin and vice versa. That means that neither of the two is better than the other when it comes to discomfort. It all depends on the user’s sensitivity to the ingredients.
Lifetime Commitment
Another thing worth noting is there’s a specific formula produced by Nioxin known as Nioxin Hair Regrowth for Men or Women. This one’s NOT part of the 3 part Nioxin system as it contains Minoxidil.
Should you opt for the 3-part system, you don’t have to make a lifetime commitment of using it. You can cut back on its usage or stop using it without going back to square one.
As for the Nioxin Hair Regrowth for Men or Women formula, you’ve got to appreciate that it contains Minox. And, indeed, once you start using Minoxidil there’s no looking back.
You’ve got to make a lifetime commitment or risk experiencing hair fall when you cut back or stop.
Between Nioxin and Minoxidil Which One Has Scientific Backing?
Nioxin is not a hair loss remedy per se but it has been used for years to regrow lost hair and reduce thinning. Its 3-part system primarily works as a scalp cleanser.
Through the cleansing product, the product helps people suffering from early signs of hair loss e.g. fragility.
We’re yet to come across any peer-reviewed studies published specifically about this product. That said, all of its ingredients are backed by tons of credible medical research studies.
As far as Rogaine goes, the fact is that it contains Minoxidil which has been known to promote hair growth for years and there are tons studies to back this up.
What we are saying here is that Rogaine is widely studied but so far, but we are yet to come across any peer-reviewed studies on any Nioxin-branded hair wellness products.
Availability
Where to buy? Well, Rogaine is readily available to purchase as it can be found in physical stores and online direct from different manufacturers such as Rogaine and Kirkland. It’s available OTC and you don’t need a prescription to buy it.
Nioxin, on the other hand, is mainly sold on Amazon and the company’s official website. You can find it at selected stores among them Costco and Walgreens.
Pricing
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Most stores (physical and online) stock different brands of Minoxidil and the price may vary depending on things like the strength of the formula and location.
For this comparison, we used Kirkland Minoxidil 5%, which retails for about $6 for a monthly supply while Nioxin costs about $15 per month.
A sneak peek at the Rogaine official store shows that they sell their 5% Minox at a cost that would amount to $15 per month.
So, none is cheaper if you choose to stick with Rogaine…but you can save a few bucks by going for the Kirkland Signature topical solution.
Quick Links
Check Latest Nioxin Prices on Amazon.com
Check Latest Kirkland Minoxidil Prices on Amazon.com
Check Latest Rogaine Prices on Amazon.com
Can I Use Both Together?
Rogaine contains an active ingredient known as Minoxidil, which treats thinning hair in women and balding in men.
Nioxin is a scalp cleansing solution that supports scalp health and can therefore be used together with Rogaine. As such, there is no reason why you should not use both products together. What you need to keep in mind is that doing that will not double or yield faster results.
As far as we are concerned, using both Rogaine and Nioxin is a waste of money. You would be better off using one at a time.
Final Thoughts
From where we sit, it seems that Rogaine is for combating and treating hair loss, while Nioxin is for preventing it. Nioxin is best used for thickening hair while Rogaine is for supporting hair regrowth.
If you’ve been bald for quite some time and are looking for a badass hair re-growth product, you might want to try anything with Minoxidil (or Rogaine as it’s often commercially referred to).
If you have just noticed a few signs of weaknesses and suspect that the situation might get out of hand, it’d be wise to start off with the 3-step system by Nioxin. Let Rogaine be your last resort.
